PUBLICAN'S "JUNGLE."

NZ Truth, Issue 118, 21 September 1907, Page 6

PUBLICAN'S "JUNGLE."

TO THE EDITOK.

Sir,— The Health' Department apparently does everything it can for the good health of the general public m prevention of diseases, etc., but there are some things wnich that Department cainnot grapple with unless it has a small army of private detec- | tives. I notice that the police obtain now and again some spirits, etc.,. from pubs for analysis, and the Licensing Committee agitate for hot water m hotels. That is all right. It has, however, been said -that one man drinking out of the same cup or ftlass as another, without it being thoroughly washed, runs the risk of contracting disease ;i but what would be the result of a man drinking the leavings of mugs from which two or. three or more persons have imbibed. In some of the lower class pubs when there is a rush on Saturday nights or at holiday time, the leavings m mugs and glasses pf beer, etc., (and it is pretty cpnsiderable sometimes), instead of being put down the sink, have heen put into a jug or mug kept for that purpose, and on a mug of beer being called for, part of these savings has been put into a mug, perhaps unwashed, and. freshened up from the tap ! This may seem sensational, but it is nevertheless true, and it _i,s well-isnown that when a man gets a little bit lively he will drink anything handed to Mm. It is no doubt a matter of economic business on the part of the licensee or barman, but it is a filthy thing to do. ; Another thing is, if you ask for a glass of a certain brand of spirits, you get a substitute, although m a labelled bottle — it all comes out of the same jar —or else an adulteration. Of course, there are some hotels where you can get good and proper stuff— as far as they know. I think, it time the liquor trade was run under Government control. I do not refer to Wellington m particular, but think notice should be taken of them.— l am, &c, MODERATE., Wellington, Sept. 17, 1907..